Faculty

Ellen C. Cornelius is a Senior Law and Policy Analyst at the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security. In 2008, Ms. Cornelius co-authored the Emergency Shelter Plan for the District of Columbia’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. Ms. Cornelius participated in testing the plan in a tabletop exercise. She continues to co-chair the Mass Care Focus Group in the District of Columbia.

In 2009, Ms. Cornelius co-authored the Shelter and Emergency Transportation Annexes that were used during the 56th Presidential Inauguration. At the Center, she co-authored the Special Needs White Paper for emergency management personnel in the mid-Atlantic. She focused on special needs demographics within the region; sheltering and evacuation needs of special needs populations; incorporation of these needs into planning efforts; emergency management training, including first responder and other specialized training; the success of programs in reaching special needs populations, including: accessibility of and registration levels of special needs populations for emergency alert and notification systems and regular distribution of up-to-date emergency preparedness information from federal, state and local emergency management agencies to special needs populations or non-profits organizations that serve them. For the past two years, Ms. Cornelius has served as the District of Columbia’s liaison to the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program. The District of Columbia focuses on housing, supply chains, and behavioral mental health.

In 2010, Ms. Cornelius assisted the State Hazard Mitigation Officer with research pertaining to the eighteen hazards, which threaten the District of Columbia. In addition, Ms. Cornelius has been organizing quarterly meetings of the Local Emergency Planning Council (LEPC). The LEPC consists of local entities that work with Hazardous Materials (HAZMATs). Furthermore, Ms. Cornelius reviewed the Ward and Evacuation Guides for each of the eight wards in the District of Columbia. Ms. Cornelius participated in revising the National Capitol Region (NCR) Mutual Aid Operations Plan.

For the past two years, Ms. Cornelius has drafted the Annual Report to the Council of the District of Columbia from the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.

Ms. Cornelius graduated with honors in Political Science from Wake Forest University in 2001 and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland, School of Law in 2005, with honors. She is licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia.